26 October 2021 last updated at 18:26
0 CommentsAltitude sickness is the biggest health obstacle in Kailash Kora. From Darchen at an altitude of 4650 meters to Drirapuk Monastery the first-day accommodation near 5100 meters to Zhuomala Pass the highest point of the whole journey at 5650 meters, it is not a low value. It is indeed a test for people who do not live on the plateau.
Mount Kailash Kora in October 2021
Tibet Kailash Altitude Sickness Symptoms
As the altitude increases, most people would experience different physical discomforts, like dizziness, headache, difficulty falling asleep, loss of appetite, chest tightness, shortness of breath, nausea, and vomiting. Generally, the altitude sickness symptoms appear from 3000 meters above sea level, and basically, every 1000 meters rise is a challenge.
How to Prevent Altitude Sickness in Kailash Tour
Usually, people who arrive at Darchen have adapted to the increasing elevation along the way, but Darchen’s basic altitude is high, and you still need to pay more attention. Here are some useful suggestions for visitors to prevent altitude sickness at Kailash tour begins:
1. Built on a slope, Darchen has a height difference of about 50 meters between the south and the north. Most people who have just arrived will feel breathless when they go up. At this time, you should slow down.
2. It is not recommended to start Kailash Kora as soon as you arrive at Darchen. At least, youhad better stay here for one night's rest, and it is best to leave after a full day's rest.
3. When you take a bath, the oxygen content of the air is reduced due to the excessive water vapor. If you feel poor breathing, you should improve the air circulation in the bathroom in time.
4. Usually, high altitude sickness symptoms will be more obvious at night. If necessary, you can bring one or two portable oxygen bottles (1 liter, very light) for use. They are sold in supermarkets, pharmacies, and hotels in Darchen, and can also be bought at the supply points on the Kailash trekking route, but the price is much.
Portable Oxygen Bottle
5. If it is only difficult to fall asleep due to a non-severe headache, you can take painkillers to relieve the pain. After a good sleep, most altitude sicknesssymptoms would disappear. You can also take some anti-altitude sickness drugs such as Gao Yuan An and Hong Jing Tian Oral Liquid for days. (Disclaimer: all drug recommendations in this article are only based on our actual Kailash tour experience for many years, and may not be suitable for everyone. You need to consider your own situation and consult a professional doctor if you have any questions.)
6. Girls should avoid trekkingto Kailash during their periods.
7. Take inenough water and avoid smoking and drinking alcohol.
Mount Kailash Kora in October 2021
How to Treat Altitude Sickness in Kailash Trekking and Kora
Based on our many years of Kailash tour experience, if it is not a particularly severe altitude sickness reaction, as time goes by, the body can usually adapt on its own, and the symptoms of discomfort can gradually diminish. Being in a hurry often makes altitude sickness symptoms worse.
The easiest and most effective way to reduce the altitude sickness reaction is to slow down the pace of the whole Kailash trip. In a short period of time, you shall not significantly increase the altitude of the place where you’ll stay overnight or do continuous activities (for example, reach 1000 meters/day), and leave enough time for the body to gradually adapt to the new height.
Of course, the severity of altitude sickness response varies from person to person. If you continue to have difficulty breathing, limb weakness, or even other more severe reactions, you must ask our Tibetan tour guide to evacuate to a lower altitude place as soon as possible and seek medical advice.
If you stand the altitude sickness indeed, you shall tell our tour guide your feeling and situation, and decide to go back to Darchen or continue your kora. If you return to Darchen early due to physical discomfort in the Kailash trek, it is recommended to go to the health center for examination or treatment in time.
Actually, you don’t need to worry too much since we won’t leave you alone, and our teammates would accompany you on the whole Tibet trip.
Insider Tips:
As for people suffering from dangerous diseases, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, severe respiratory diseases, etc., it is not recommended to do Kailash trekking.
Conclusion
Just remember that trekking at a more comfortable rhythm is very important when you make the sincere pilgrimage to Mount Kailash. Excessive speed beyond your own ability can easily cause or aggravate high altitude sickness. Take all the things easy and relax your heart and soul in Kailash kora.
